Run With Perseverance

Cindy and I went to Nationals Park last night and had a great time.  We were with good friends, ate some delicious food, and enjoyed being outside on a beautiful spring evening.  One might say it would be hard to top such an experience, except...the Nationals lost in twelve innings, 4-3. It was the kind of game that frustrates managers, players, and fans alike as the Nationals collected sixteen hits and left fourteen runners on base.  To say they had their chances to win would be an understatement.  Obviously the outcome of the game was not what we hoped for, and yet, Cindy and I remarked this morning about how much we enjoyed the evening.  I suppose the results could have overshadowed the experience, but in reality, the experience, for us overshadowed the loss.

 

I have heard a familiar statement over the years about the ups and downs of life and the persistence needed for this life's journey.  Perhaps you have heard it too...Life is a marathon, not a sprint. The idea is a simple, if not terribly exciting one.  The speed and instant gratification of the sprint is initially very attractive, and yet, one covers very little ground and experiences only momentary challenges.  The marathon, however, takes one through long distances where hills and valleys, smooth and rough terrain, and noisy crowds and sudden quiet mark the experience.  Walking with God is a marathon experience where joys and sorrow mark the landscape and faith empowers the long view that isn't consumed with the moment, but trusts that God has been, is now, and will continue to be at work in the midst of it all.  Even when the outcomes aren't what we hope for, there is strength for next step living that makes the entire journey well worth taking.

 

The admonition of the writer of Hebrews 12 is vital to our understanding of this journey; "let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith..."   Looking to Jesus, we can run with perseverance, wherever the race may take us.

 

I hope you will join us for a very special worship experience this Sunday as our youth lead in worship.  Youth Sunday provides an opportunity for our young men and women to share, and for you and me to encourage them as together, we worship the living Lord.   I am looking forward to this Sunday and to seeing you there.  Remember, also, that our quarterly church conference will be held this Sunday evening at 7 in the music suite.

 

Twelfth-inning losses are hard to take, but tonight will bring another game, and tomorrow, another. Every day is an opportunity. With our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, let us run with perseverance.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Easter Sunday

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 

(John 20:19-21)

 

There’s a wonderful old saying is southern circles about bringing things to a joyous conclusion… “it’s all over but the shoutin’.”  Jesus stands among his friends, alive.  They were locked away, fearing for their lives, and he suddenly stands before them offering greetings of peace.  He shows them the marks of crucifixion that prove his death, then they let loose the shoutin’, rejoicing that the One who was dead, is now alive.  But their shoutin’ wasn’t the end of the story. Good news came with a challenge and a calling; “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 

 

Easter Sunday is a day of shoutin’.  But it is much more than that.  It is a day of commission.  To embrace and celebrate the living Christ is to also embrace and celebrate His challenge and calling to us; “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.”

 

Go and tell the good news!

 

Prayer: Come among us once more, dear Jesus, that in seeing your nail-scarred hands and feet, we might celebrate again your victory of life over death.  Then, may we faithfully answer the call to go and tell. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

 

These Lenten devotionals conclude today, but our journey to the cross and empty tomb hasn't been exclusively a seasonal walk.  Jesus calls us daily to take up the cross and go into all the world to tell the good news.  The work of salvation is done...now the story must be told!  

Lenten Devotional...Good Friday

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

(Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46)

 

The Psalmist’s words of desperation become the Savior’s cry of isolation.  Wrongly accused, beaten, cursed, humiliated, abandoned by his friends, Jesus hangs on the cross, near death.  The taunting crowd has grown weary of the sport and some have, no doubt, gone back into the city. The few “bystanders” as the NRSV calls some of those who remain, think he is calling Elijah.  They wait in cynical anticipation to see if Elijah will come, but no one comes to rescue him.  Once more he cries out, then “breathes his last.” 

 

Few are left now to witness the end.  A Roman centurion, having observed it all, in stunned reverence says, “Surely this was the Son of God.”   

 

How could it end this way? 

 

How could it end any other way?

 

Prayer: I can never understand fully the depth of your love, O Christ, enduring such pain and abandonment to pay my debt of sin.  Surely this was the Son of God. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Maundy Thursday

Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!”  Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.”

(Luke 22:31-34)

 

This story is told again and again in our passion recollections.  Peter is proclaiming his undying allegiance to Jesus, while Jesus forecasts a completely different outcome.  Our own best intentions for commitment and faithfulness to Jesus are heard in Peter’s bold words.  Our focal point, however, should not be on Peter’s words or his failure, but on the words of Jesus found in verse 32… but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  Peter’s failure was assured, but so too was Jesus’ faithfulness in praying for him and believing the best about him.  We focus on the failure…Jesus sees the possibility.

 

Maundy Thursday calls us to the table, the garden, the betrayal, the trial, and then, the cross.  The failures of Peter and the disciples are significant for us because we see ourselves there.  The words and actions of Jesus, however, are much more significant for they speak of redemption for Peter, and for you and me.

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you hear our bold proclamations as well as our anxious denials, yet, you believe in us still.  In your grace and mercy, may we, like Peter, find restoration.

Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

 

Plan to join us for Maundy Thursday services at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Lenten Devotional...April 16

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for

 your flesh and a refreshment for your body.”

(Proverbs 3:7-8)

 

Victor Hugo once wrote, “Wisdom is a sacred communion.”  Along the Lenten journey, one comes to realize that human wisdom is sorely lacking in the shadow of the cross.  There, the ugliness of sin meets the wonder of God’s love.  There, human wisdom is exposed for its shortsightedness.  There, the wisdom of God brings healing in sacrifice, mercy in the midst of humiliation.

 

The admonition of the wise writer of Proverbs is a clear call to sacred communion.  To depend on my own wisdom is failure.  To trust in the One who has created me in His holy image brings healing and refreshment.  Turn away from evil…turn toward the Lord.

 

Prayer: I ask for wisdom today, Lord, for I cannot…I must not lean upon my own understanding.  Guide my thoughts, my words, and my steps. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...April 15

“The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost.”

(I Timothy 1:15)

 

Comparisons are inevitable. We spend much of our time evaluating everything from soft drinks to automobiles to biblical translations.  Paul does not seem interested in comparisons.  He readily embraces his identity as the foremost of sinners.  The Message translates Paul’s confession as “Public Sinner Number One.”

 

The point is not whether Paul’s sinfulness is greater than any others, or that your or my sin is comparable…Christ came into the world to save sinners…that is the point. The cross proves the point and sin is overcome…Paul’s, yours, and mine.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for coming to this world to save the foremost of sinners…like me. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...April 14

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”

(Psalm 51:1)

These opening words of David’s great confession call for a quality of relationship that is undeserved…mercy.  David could not claim his greatness as king before God.  His position and influence would not sway the Almighty.  The quality of mercy is unearned.
 

Timothy Keller, in his book, “The Prodigal God,” writes, “Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy.”

One doesn’t view the cross and think of worthiness.  The third verse of Isaac Watts great hymn, “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed,” communicates this truth.  “Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! Grace unknown!  And love beyond degree!”

…love beyond degree…that may be the greatest definition of mercy.

Prayer: Lord, have mercy on me, according to your steadfast love…love beyond degree. Amen.

Jim Abernathy